Coastal Charlotte Beaches: rip current risk and surf forecast

FloridaNear Rotonda West, Charlotte CountyNWS zone FLZ162NWS Tampa Bay Area

Rip current risk today: Low. Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

Surf 1 foot or less, water in the upper 80s. Buoy FMRF1, 33 mi out, measured 86 °F water. Sunset 7:28 PM.

Rip current risk: LowToday
Surf: 1 foot or lessForecast
Water: In the upper 80sForecast
Sunset: 7:28 PMEDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Coastal Charlotte Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force

No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Coastal Charlotte Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 229 AM EDT, 9/20/2026.

Today Today

Low rip current risk

Rip current risk: Low
Surf: 1 foot or less
Water temperature: In the upper 80s
UV index: Very High
High temperature: In the upper 80s
Weather: Mostly sunny. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms
Wind: East winds around 5 mph, becoming west in the afternoon
Thunderstorms: Moderate

UV index 8 to 10. Unprotected skin burns quickly; minimize sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tomorrow Monday

Low rip current risk

Rip current risk: Low
Surf: 1 foot or less
High temperature: In the upper 80s
Weather: Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms
Wind: East winds around 5 mph, becoming south in the afternoon
Thunderstorms: Moderate

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee. Issued 2:29 AM EDT on Sun, Sep 20 by the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay Area.

Today

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1 foot or less
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
UV Index: Very High
Water Temperature: In the upper 80s
Weather: Mostly sunny. Numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the upper 80s
Winds: East winds around 5 mph, becoming west in the afternoon
Tides, Venice Inlet: High at 06:34 AM EDT. Low at 03:56 PM EDT
Tides, Fort Myers Beach: High at 07:26 AM EDT. Low at 04:00 PM EDT

Tonight

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1 foot or less
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
Weather: Mostly cloudy until 8 PM, then partly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms
Low Temperature: In the mid 70s
Winds: Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming east after midnight
Tides, Venice Inlet: High at 11:45 PM EDT. Low at 02:48 AM EDT
Tides, Fort Myers Beach: High at 12:37 AM EDT. Low at 02:52 AM EDT

Monday

Rip Current Risk: Low
Surf Height: 1 foot or less
Thunderstorm Potential: Moderate
Weather: Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and thunderstorms
High Temperature: In the upper 80s
Winds: East winds around 5 mph, becoming south in the afternoon
Tides, Venice Inlet: High at 08:15 AM EDT. Low at 04:48 PM EDT
Tides, Fort Myers Beach: High at 09:07 AM EDT. Low at 04:52 PM EDT

The office's notes on this forecast

Rip Current Risk Category * Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. * Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. * High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/beach/tbw

The product as issued

FZUS52 KTBW 200629
SRFTBW

Surf Zone Forecast for West Central and Southwest Florida
National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL
229 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

FLZ139-142-148-149-202015-
Coastal Levy-Coastal Citrus-Coastal Hernando-Coastal Pasco-
Including the beaches of Cedar Key, Yankeetown, Crystal River, 
Homosassa, Pine Island, Bayport, Hernando Beach, Hudson, 
and Port Richey
229 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
UV Index**..................Very High. 
Water Temperature...........In the mid 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy until 10 AM, then partly 
                            sunny. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            northwest in the afternoon.
Tides...
   Cedar Key................High at 08:07 AM EDT.
                            Low at 04:12 PM EDT.
   Saint Petersburg.........High at 08:36 AM EDT.
                            Low at 05:34 PM EDT.

.TONIGHT...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy until 12 AM, then partly 
                            cloudy. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
Low Temperature.............In the upper 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 5 mph.
Tides...
   Cedar Key................High at 11:14 PM EDT.
                            Low at 03:45 AM EDT.
   Saint Petersburg.........High at 01:47 AM EDT.
                            Low at 04:26 AM EDT.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            southwest in the afternoon.
Tides...
   Cedar Key................High at 09:39 AM EDT.
                            Low at 05:24 PM EDT.
   Saint Petersburg.........High at 10:17 AM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/tbw

$$

FLZ050-151-155-160-202015-
Pinellas-Coastal Hillsborough-Coastal Manatee-Coastal Sarasota-
Including the beaches of Clearwater Beach, Saint Pete Beach, 
Bradenton Beach, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Turtle Beach, and Venice
229 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
UV Index**..................Very High. 
Water Temperature...........In the upper 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph, becoming north 
                            in the afternoon.
Tides...
   Saint Petersburg.........High at 08:36 AM EDT.
                            Low at 05:34 PM EDT.
   Venice Inlet.............High at 06:34 AM EDT.
                            Low at 03:56 PM EDT.

.TONIGHT...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy until 7 PM, then partly 
                            cloudy. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
Low Temperature.............In the mid 70s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph.
Tides...
   Saint Petersburg.........High at 01:47 AM EDT.
                            Low at 04:26 AM EDT.
   Venice Inlet.............High at 11:45 PM EDT.
                            Low at 02:48 AM EDT.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph, becoming south 
                            in the afternoon.
Tides...
   Saint Petersburg.........High at 10:17 AM EDT.
   Venice Inlet.............High at 08:15 AM EDT.
                            Low at 04:48 PM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/tbw

$$

FLZ162-165-202015-
Coastal Charlotte-Coastal Lee-
Including the beaches of Manasota Key, Palm Island, Captiva, Sanibel, 
and Fort Myers Beach
229 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026

.TODAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
UV Index**..................Very High. 
Water Temperature...........In the upper 80s. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Numerous showers and 
                            scattered thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph, becoming west 
                            in the afternoon.
Tides...
   Venice Inlet.............High at 06:34 AM EDT.
                            Low at 03:56 PM EDT.
   Fort Myers Beach.........High at 07:26 AM EDT.
                            Low at 04:00 PM EDT.

.TONIGHT...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy until 8 PM, then partly 
                            cloudy. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
Low Temperature.............In the mid 70s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            east after midnight.
Tides...
   Venice Inlet.............High at 11:45 PM EDT.
                            Low at 02:48 AM EDT.
   Fort Myers Beach.........High at 12:37 AM EDT.
                            Low at 02:52 AM EDT.

.MONDAY...
Rip Current Risk*...........Low. 
Surf Height.................1 foot or less. 
Thunderstorm Potential**....Moderate. 
Weather.....................Mostly sunny. Scattered showers and 
                            thunderstorms. 
High Temperature............In the upper 80s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph, becoming south 
                            in the afternoon.
Tides...
   Venice Inlet.............High at 08:15 AM EDT.
                            Low at 04:48 PM EDT.
   Fort Myers Beach.........High at 09:07 AM EDT.
                            Low at 04:52 PM EDT.

&&

Rip Current Risk Category
* Low Risk - The risk for rip currents is low, however,
life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins,
jetties, reefs, and piers.
* Moderate Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are possible in the
surf zone.
* High Risk - Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf
zone.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/tbw


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy FMRF1, 8725520 - Fort Myers, FL, 33 mi away, reported 3:30 PM.

Water temperature: 86 °F
Air temperature: 88 °F
Wind: 1 kt from the N

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Tides today

Don Pedro Island State Park, Cutoff (south), 2.8 mi away. Feet above mean lower low water.

High tide7:51 AM1.7 ft
Low tide4:43 PM0.3 ft

Low tide often exposes the sandbars and channels that shape rip currents, and the risk can run higher for an hour or two either side of it. Full tide table for Don Pedro Island State Park, Cutoff (south).

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 7:17 AM
Sunset today: 7:28 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 7:18 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 7:27 PM

Times are Eastern Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the rip current risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

The office forecasts these beaches together with the neighboring zones.

Manasota Key
Palm Island
Captiva
Sanibel
Fort Myers Beach

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening rip currents are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	Life-threatening rip currents are not expected, but they can still form near groins, jetties, reefs and piers. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

The forecast has a moderate chance of thunderstorms today. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office TBW, issued 229 AM EDT, 9/20/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone FLZ162.